IRS holding stimulus payments for 113,000 Missourians

The Internal Revenue Service is trying to track down more than 113,000 Missourians who might be missing out on those economic stimulus payment checks most of us received earlier this year. It’s believed most of the people owed checks are retirees, disabled veterans, and low income workers who would not have been required to file income tax returns for 2007, but who will not receive checks unless the 2007 return is filed.

In order to qualify for a stimulus check, these people must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income, have a valid Social Security number, and are not a dependent or eligible to be a dependent on someone else’s federal tax return. Michael Devine with the IRS in St. Louis says Supplemental Security Income does not count as qualifying income, but would include such things as earned income, Social Security benefits, certain Veterans Affairs benefits, Railroad Retirement benefits, and non-taxable combat pay.

To receive the $300 – or $600 for those married and filing jointly – a 2007 federal income tax return must be filed by October 15th.